EIGHT
Luke seemed more anxious than ever to finish the cottage. Every night, after the warriors left and they ate their dinner, he would go back to the cottage to work. Though some of the higher ranking warriors helped him during the day, at night he would work alone. He never broke his promise to her and never left her truly alone, but she felt lonelier than ever. After all of their nights spent sleeping together, it felt wrong to fall asleep without him by her side. There in the cold, lonely bed, she wondered if he didn't want her physically anymore because her pregnancy had begun to truly show.
Still, it made her personal training easier to hide from him. Over the noise he was making constructing their home, he couldn't hear the softer sounds of her exercising her techniques, even the sounds of her striking the largest tree on the perimeter of their clearing. Because the tent stood between the cabin and the tree, the possibility of him seeing her was small.
She knew that if she screamed, he would hear and come running so she had no reason to be afraid of being out alone at night. It was a big part of why she'd chosen the nighttime for her training. If she'd tried to accomplish it during the day, any of the warriors or friends buzzing about might've mentioned it to him.
Her late night trainings wore her out completely, so she was often sound asleep when he finished his work and crawled into bed in the early hours of the morning. By the time she woke up in the morning, he was already back at work on the cottage before his trainees showed up to continue their lessons. They were physically so close, but she felt as though she wasn't spending any real time with him and she missed him deeply.
The only thing that kept her from feeling a true sadness at the distance between them was the feeling of the life growing inside of her. Knowing the baby was coming, the physical manifestation of their love for each other, was all that she needed to remind herself that their love was the most beautiful thing in her life. Everything he was doing, he was doing to keep them safe. She couldn't complain. Still, she longed for the day that the cottage would be complete and his free time would belong to her once again.
That day came more quickly than she'd even dared to dream. One night, after weeks of work, he came to the tent earlier than he usually did, but instead of slipping soundlessly into bed beside her and holding her until he fell asleep, he woke her gently, full of excitement.
“Kalia, Kalia my dear! Wake up! Wake up! I've something to show you!” he cried excitedly.
“What's going on? Is something wrong?” she asked as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes and sat up slowly.
“Everything's alright, darling! Get up and come with me. I need you to see something,” he said, taking her hand and pulling her from the warmth of their bed.
It was rather disappointing, as she'd been hoping he would get into the bed beside her. She'd missed him so much and her body craved his. When he woke her up, she'd the faint hope that it was because he wanted her. The fact that he was leading her in the opposite direction of their warm bed didn't reassure her.
Still, he seemed like a man on a mission so she grabbed her wrap from the chair near the bed and let him lead her outside. She looked down at her hands nervously. They'd not had enough time to heal from her last training. Still, he seemed too excited to notice. She took her hand from his and wove it through the crook of his arm, tucking her injured hand safely out of sight.
He looked positively ecstatic, like her little brothers did when they'd found a snake or a pine cone they were so wildly excited about that they had to show her right away. His emotions were infectious and she felt them rippling through her, temporarily pushing the sadness she'd felt when he didn’t seem to want her, out of her mind.
He led her to the cottage and to her surprise, he swept her up in his arms and carried her across the threshold. She gasped in surprise but savored the physical closeness to him. His scent and warmth surrounded her and she thought it must be very much what heaven would feel like. He didn’t say anything until they were inside. Gently, he set her back on her feet in the large and open space that included the kitchen and the main living space.
She looked around, speechless. Her eyes took in every detail he had so carefully accomplished in such a short amount of time. The walls were stone, yet the space still felt so warm and inviting to her. The window frames were painted a crisp shade of white, making them pop out from the grey stone. The large panes of glass in them were something that was rare in the homes of their people but she loved them. Looking through them drew the night sky from the outside in and gave the home the feeling of being connected to the nature that surrounded them, much the same way that the tent made her feel.
The fireplace he had built was just like the one that she'd seen in her dream. It was large and open, with a hearth where she and their children would sit and bond together. She pictured herself sitting there, telling them stories or singing them songs and she felt tears begin to form in her eyes. This, she knew, was a home where they would grow old together. She couldn't believe she'd ever doubted his ability to make her a place where she would feel happy and safe.
In the center of the kitchen, was a hand-crafted table and she could tell that he had labored on it. The legs scrolled elegantly and looked very much like the roots of a tree growing out from the floor and she pictured them there, eating and laughing as a family, sharing the details of their lives and the special, quiet moments that make life worth living. That thought was too much for her and tears that had been threatening to fall, spilled down her cheeks.
The entire time she'd been taking in every inch of the home that he had made for her, Luke had been watching Kalia. He had not said a word, merely waited for her to react. Her tears, though, were too much for him to hold himself back any longer. He strode across the room and pressed his hand to her cheek, dashing away her tears with his thumb.
“Do you not like it?” he asked gently.
“I love it. Oh darling, it's just how I dreamed it'd be. It already feels like our home. There are not even words in ours or any other language to describe how you make me feel. All I can say is thank you. Thank you for loving me,” she whispered. Her tears continued to flow, but the look of love on her face told him that they were tears of joy.
“I'm so glad. I told you I would make this the place you wanted. I didn't want to break my word to you,” he said solemnly, gently running his hands through her hair as he spoke. She leaned in to his hand like a cat, wanting to be as close to him as she possibly could.
“I couldn't have asked for more. I see our lives in these walls,” she said. As she spoke, he reached out to take her hands in hers. It was then that he noticed their condition. She tried to pull them away, but he held them tight, examining the cuts and bruises, made to look all the worse by the swelling and the blood that coated them.
“What happened here?” he asked quietly. Though his voice was low, the edge in it was unmistakable. His eyes were locked on her ruined knuckles and he didn't even blink, putting her on guard for the fight to come.
“I don't want to tell you,” she said honestly.
“What happened here?” he repeated, giving her the impression he wasn't so much asking her a question as demanding an answer.
“This is such a beautiful moment. I don't want to ruin it by fighting and we'll fight if I tell you the truth. I suppose I could lie to you, but I don't want to do that either,” she said bravely, squaring her shoulders to face him. She knew he loved her, but she was afraid it was exactly that love that might lead him to overreact.
“I'm afraid I need you to tell me what happened right now or I may just lose my mind. Did someone hurt you?” he asked, holding her hands so gently that she could barely feel them, yet she knew that they were there, cradling her wounded hands.
“No, it's not anything like that. No one hurt me. I promise you,” she blurted out, not at all sure what to say next.
“The only time I've seen wounds like this is on young warriors at the beginning of their training,” he said, the anger on his face clear. “Who is it? Who have you gotten to train you in the ways of the warrior?” he demanded.
“No one! I've no one training me. You told me that you wouldn't,” she said honestly.
“Don't play coy with me. I know that any one of my trainees would do anything that you asked of them. They are all in love with you. If you asked, they would train you in a heartbeat. Have you been meeting one of them at night for lessons? Which one is it? I'll kill him. I swear I'll kill him for putting you and the baby in danger. The elements of training are harsh on the body. Our baby could have been hurt. Who was thoughtless enough to enable you in this hair-brained scheme?” he roared, looking murderous.
“None of them would do something so foolish as to defy you and I wouldn't ask them to,” she cried.
“Then who is teaching you? Tell me the truth. Who has helped you to break your promise to me?” he demanded, his anger clearly coming from a place of love and concern, but she still didn't like to be dictated to.
“It's not like that. I didn't break my promise to you. I swore I wouldn't ask you again about teaching me to fight and I haven't. What I've learned, I've learned from you,” she cried, too upset at his words to keep her emotions in check.
“I haven't given you a single lesson in fighting. I would never put you in danger like that. I would never do that,” he growled.
“I know you didn't realize you were, but it was all you. You've been so busy with the men and the cottage I didn't have to work very hard to hide it from you. I simply lingered around as you give the boys their instructions. Then, in the night when you've been working on this place, I simply practiced what I learned during the day. I've never been out of ear shot of you and I've certainly not been meeting any other man in the night,” she snapped at him. She could tell by his expression that it came as a blow to him that he had been enabling her efforts himself.
“Are you telling me your hands have been in this condition for days and I never noticed?” he asked, looking horrified.
“It's not that bad at all. You know how quickly we heal. I simply went to bed with them a little torn up and woke up with them perfectly healed. I never put myself or the baby through anything that we couldn't handle,” she said, trying to comfort him.
“How could I not have known this? I love you and I sleep beside you every night. How could I not have known you were putting yourself through this? Have I been that distant from you?” he asked, looking stricken.
“I know you've been busy. Everything you're doing, you've been doing for us. I understand that. I'm just happy that you haven't noticed until now,” she admitted.
“What do you mean?” he asked in confusion.
“I thought perhaps you were so distant because you find me a bit repulsive in my growing state. It's been weeks since you have made love for me. You're so delicate with me, as if you're afraid to touch me. I haven't known what to think,” she said in frustration.
The look on his face was of horror. He looked as if she'd slapped him across the face. He wrapped his arms around her and crushed her body to his, holding her close as though he was trying to physically draw the hurt from her.
“Dearest, no! How could you ever think such a thing? I love you. Every day, knowing that our child is growing inside of you only makes me love you more,” he said as solemnly as any vow.
“I've never doubted your love for me, Luke. What I doubted was if you still want me,” she admitted, a little ashamed at saying such a thing aloud.
“No, Kalia. Every day, it's all that I can don't to be with you constantly. If I had my way, we would spend every moment of every day lying naked beside each other, exploring each other’s bodies. In my dream world, I would spend every moment buried inside of you. Honestly, I feel like a bit of a lecher for the sheer strength of my desire to sleep with you. You're doing this amazing thing, growing a human life, and all I can think about is guiding that sweet mouth of yours to my cock or spreading your long legs wide open and thrusting in and out of you until we are both too exhausted to move.
"Those are the thoughts that I'm consumed by, whether I'm training the warriors or working on this place. Every moment of my life, a part of my mind is consumed with thoughts of you and your body and all the glorious pleasure I draw from it,” he admitted, looking so passionate that she couldn't doubt the words he said, yet they just confused her more.
“Then why has it been so long since you've been with me? I've been going mad, wanting you so much that I've nearly thrown myself at you right in front of your men as you run about, doing such physical displays for them,” she demanded.
“You're pregnant! I know it must make you exhausted and uncomfortable. I didn't want to add to that. I wanted to give you your peace,” he said, looking a little shocked at what she'd said.
“Is that what you think your lovemaking makes me feel; exhausted and uncomfortable? Darling, being with you is the most invigorating thing. I never feel more beautiful than when I have you within my body. I never feel more alive than when your skin is pressed to mine,” she cried, suddenly feeling the heat rising in her body.
“My sweet girl, I never intended to make you feel that way. I never thought you could doubt that I wanted you,” he sighed, wrapping his arm around her.
“I just thought you didn't find me attractive anymore. I couldn't help it. You don't know what these hormones do to me,” she admitted, leaning against his strength.
“Let me prove to you just how untrue that it,” he offered, then his lips crashed down on hers.
His kiss wasn't gentle and she didn't mind at all. Then he pulled back and smiled down at her wickedly. When his mouth returned to hers, his kiss became gentle, almost teasing. He used his tongue to trace her lower lip.
When she sighed with pleasure at the sensation, he took advantage to slide his tongue inside to continue his exploration, tenderly advancing and retreating in such a way that shivers of pleasure rocked her body. His mouth left hers suddenly then, though his hands were braced on her hips, maintaining their connection.
“Are you cold,” he asked wickedly, as his lips traveled to the crook of her neck.
“No, I'm most definitely warm,” she stammered, though gasps of pleasure made it hard to get the words out.
“Good,” he said as he gripped her hips tighter and lifted her so that she was perched on the edge of the table, giving him easier access to her.
She was so shocked by the sudden motion that she didn't see him grabbing for the edge of her nightgown. He made no effort to undo the buttons on the back of the garment. Instead, he gripped the seam and tore it right in half. He let out a growl and yanked the shredded fabric from her body.
She'd not bothered with undergarments when she went to bed because the pregnancy made her so hot in the night time. Finding her suddenly naked before him pleased him greatly as he growled in approval, burying his face in her quivering chest. His mouth latched onto one of her breasts, teasing and sucking the nipple until she could no longer keep from crying out in pleasure. Only then did his tongue gently travel from one tight bud to the other. He continued his tender exploration until her hips were bucking up off the table, so eager was she for him to enter her.
He pulled back with a predatory glint in his eye and said, “Eager, aren’t we?”
“You know I am. Please, let’s go back to the tent and make love. I want you. I need you now,” she said as she sneaked her hands under his shirt, exploring the hard lines and lean strength of his core muscles.
“Oh, we are not going back to the tent, my dear,” he purred as his lips returned to the crook of her neck, tracing the space with his tongue and making it rather difficult for her to form a coherent thought.
“Please,” she whispered. “I can’t wait anymore!” To prove her point, she extended her hand and caressed his manhood through the fabric of his trousers. “You're just as eager as I am. I can feel your desire for me. Take me! Take me now!” she cried.
“Oh, I intend to,” he said as he pulled his shirt up and over his head, exposing his bare chest before stepping between her legs.
“What are you doing?” she gasped, unable to believe that he was actually planning to take her right there on the table.
“I think you know exactly what I'm about to do,” he smirked as he pressed closer to her.
“On the table?” she gasped, as turned on as she was shocked by his plans.
“I intend to feast on your body, my love,” he said as he bent over her, returning his mouth to her chest. He stroked, licked, and sucked until she couldn't stand the sensation any longer. She writhed beneath him, her body so desperate for his that she could barely control it.
Luke, for his part, was absolutely wild in his desire for her. He took advantage of her nakedness to run his hands over every curve of her body. They came to rest on her buttocks, pulling her willing body against his. She cried out in frustration that the fabric of his pants separated her skin from his. He laughed as he moved his hand to her inner thighs, causing her to tremble in anticipation. He then used his fingers to touch the center of her desire and she nearly bucked up off the table as his fingers entered her. As he slid in and out of her, all she could do was grip his shoulders and pull herself closer to him. Though she enjoyed his attention immensely, she still ached to have him sheathed within her. She whimpered as her hips moved in anticipation.
She bit her lip to keep her shrieks of pleasure in check and the sight was too much for him. He needed her right then. He took a step back from her and removed his pants and undergarment. The sight of his naked body there in the moonlight was too much for Kalia and she began to literally shake in her desire for him. He didn't make her wait any longer.
He stepped to her again and gently positioned her buttocks at the very edge of the table, giving him better access to her feminine core. He stepped between her legs and used his thighs to spread her wider, opening her before him. His hands gripped her hips tightly as he pressed in to her as she gasped at the glorious sensation of being filled by his tremendous length.
To her relief, he didn't make love to her gently. After the days of craving him, she wanted the wildest part of him and that was exactly what she got. He tightened his grip on her hips to keep her just where he wanted her and he began fucking her wildly. She couldn't remember a time where he had been so lost in his own passion and that made her even hotter. His raw desire moved her, reassuring her he had never, not even for a moment, ceased to want her. His grunts and moans of passion emboldened her, giving her the knowledge that this big, strong warrior was a slave to her body. Her hands, which had been resting on his shoulders, traveled down until she found her target. She rested them on his perfect ass and squeezed tight.
The act was enough to throw him completely over the edge. Though she'd not thought it possible, his pace increased, his inner animal instincts completely taking over as he fucked her relentlessly. His hands shifted from her hips to her ass and he lifted her completely off the table as he pumped himself in and out of her, holding her at just the angle he wanted. Being completely at his mercy was the most sensual experience of her life and she could feel herself losing control.
They both came together, trembling as their passion rocked them and he filled her with his seed. Her walls clenched as they came simultaneously, her body’s effort to hold him within her forever. He sat her back on the edge of the table but he made no effort to remove himself from her. Instead, he rested his head, damp with sweat, on her shoulder and held her close. Kalia couldn't think of a better way to make the home their own than what they'd just done, cementing their love and passion for each other.
Without moving, he said, “I love you so much I can barely stand it.”
“I know the feeling,” she said with a playful giggle.
“Promise me that you'll not do any more training on your own,” he said gently.
“Let’s not fight now. That was such a wonderful experience. Don't spoil it,” she said with a sigh.
“I'm not trying to spoil it, darling. Can we compromise? If you'll not do anything to put yourself at risk or hurt yourself until the baby comes, then I'll train you myself. You’ll be the fiercest warrior I've ever trained. I promise,” he vowed to her, pulling her body even tighter against his.
“That's all I ever wanted,” she gasped, throwing her arms around his neck.
“And all I want is to make you happy, so we'll both win, won’t we?” he asked with a chuckle.
“I don't even know how to tell you how much this means to me,” she whispered to him.
“Just keep yourself and our child safe,” he sighed, running his hands through her long hair and kissing her gently.
“That I promise you,” she swore, kissing him again and savoring his physical closeness.
They stayed like that, tangled up with each other, for what felt like an eternity. They savored the safety and the peace of their new home and of the love that filled it.
*
In the weeks that followed, they worked together to make the cottage a home. Luke moved each piece of furniture from the tent into the stone cottage with the exception of their bed of pillows. He made, by hand, a bed from the tree branches that surrounded their clearing. They were woven together in such a lovely way where it looked as though they'd grown together to form the shape of the bed naturally. It also served her purposes because she'd hoped to convince Luke to allow her to keep the tent. As much as she loved their new home, it nearly broke her heart to think of their first home being torn down.
Because they didn't need the bed in the new house, she made the successful argument that they could visit their tent from time to time for carnal purposes. After that suggestion, Luke wasn't hard to convince that the tent should be allowed to continue to stand.
After she won that victory, it was easy for her to throw herself in to their new home. Since she'd given up her evenings of secret warrior training, she had much more energy and she put that into creating the finishing touches needed to make their house a home. Her mother and Mali often came with her younger brothers in tow to help her as the pregnancy made some things a bit harder to execute.
It also gave her mother time to tell her and her sister about what to expect when a baby came. It was reassuring to her to have her mother on hand. While they worked on the house, Luke kept his warriors in the yard as they advanced in their training. More than once, she caught Mali looking out the window at the young warriors and she laughed to herself, wondering if her little sister was imagining which one of them would one day be her mate.
One day, she decided that it was perhaps time to speak to her about it.
“See anyone who appeals to you?” she teased as she came up behind her, staring out the window yet again.
“That's not what I was doing,” Mali gasped.
“Yes it was. All young female bears do. There's nothing wrong with picturing your future,” she said with a laugh.
“There's no point in it though, is there? It's not as though we get to pick our mate,” she said, looking frustrated.
“We might not get to choose, but that doesn't mean we can let our future be dictated for us. You must always remember the future is yours to do with what you like,” she said with a comforting smile.
“Thank you, Sister!” she cried as she wrapped her arms around her.
“And if you're ever unhappy with the mate you're given, then I'll smuggle you away. I promise you that,” she said, squeezing her tight.
“You're truly the best of sisters,” Mali said with a laugh.
“Of course I am. Now get up from there. I need your help in the kitchen. This baby belly makes it hard for me to really scrub the floor well and I want this place spotless when the baby comes,” she ordered.
“I'll do anything for my little niece or nephew,” her sister said with a smile.
“I'm going to remind you that you said that,” Kalia answered with a wink.
With that, they returned to their work of preparing the home for the baby. The weeks stretched on and things came together. All that was left was for the little one to make its arrival. Then, one evening when she and Luke were alone in their little sanctuary, the wait ended.
“You look odd, my darling. Are you feeling well?” Luke asked as he noticed that Kalia seemed a little pale when they were sitting together near the fire, enjoying some tea made from local herbs after their dinner was over.
“Yes, of course. I've just been a bit more tired than usual. That's all,” she said, shaking her head.
“Are you sure? You look a bit pale. Maybe you should go to the bedroom and lie down,” he suggested, feeling really worried about her.
“No, I'm perfectly content here with you,” she said when a sudden sharp pain shot through her and she clutched her stomach.
“What is it?” he cried as he jumped from his chair and came to kneel in front of her.
“It was just a little discomfort,” she said, trying to reassure him.
He took her hands in his and looked deep in her eyes, trying to determine if that was the truth. She did her best to keep her face calm and she nearly had him convinced when another wave of pain came and ruined her composure.
“That's it. Something is wrong. Tell me now, what is happening,” he demanded, looking scared for her.
“I don't think anything is wrong but I do think that the baby may be on the way,” she said, smiling through the pain.
“Is it not too soon for the baby?” he asked in what could only be described as a panic.
It was almost funny for her to see her big, strong warrior so worried for her. He was a man who would've taken on any enemy or pain in the world to spare her from it, but he was helpless to do anything for her now. All he could do was watch her and wait and she knew he wasn't going to be able to handle that well.
“It's not too soon. It'll be a fine and healthy baby. I need you to trust me,” she said, taking his hand and placing it on her stomach.
“What do I do?” he asked, a little at a loss.
“I want to message my mother so that she can come to deliver the baby,” she explained, bracing as another contraction came.
“I'll not leave you,” he roared as he pulled her from her chair and sat her firmly on his lap as he sat on the floor. He held her to him and she felt as though he would never let her go, which was just fine with her.
“You don't need to go anywhere to summon her. Do you see that leather satchel there on the mantel?” she asked, pointing to it as she spoke so that there could be no confusion.
“Yes, of course I do,” he said, a little annoyed that she was speaking to him like a child.
“Just throw the powder inside in the fire. It'll make a pillar of blue smoke. When she sees it in the sky, she'll come,” she explained, leaning against him as the pain grew stronger.
“Did you come up with that? It's brilliant,” he said as he reluctantly removed her from his lap and rose to do as she'd instructed.
“No,” she laughed. “Are men really so oblivious? It's the way our people have summoned midwives since time began.”
“I never knew that,” he said in awe.
“Yes, well, men are usually kept as far away from the birthing process as possible. You know that tradition demands it,” she said, shyly implying that he would have to be separate from her while she brought their child into the world.
“I'll not be separate from you during this,” he growled, pulling her to him again.
“You have to. It's tradition and you need to adhere to it. You're the chief’s son! You must do as tradition says. I'll be fine. I promise you that I'll bring your child into this world safely,” she said, though she wanted nothing more than to keep him with her through the entire painful ordeal that was to come.
“We have never let tradition dictate to us and I'm not about to start now. I'll not be away from you, especially not while you're in pain. Don't ask me to do that. I'll tear the heart out of anyone who tries to keep me from you. I'll go absolutely mad. I know that I will. How could I hear your cries of pain and know that you're suffering and not do something to comfort you,” he pleaded, looking at her as though he was scared to death that if she left his sight then he would never see her again.
“If it'll make you happy, then stay with me. I would love nothing more than to have your hand in mine as I go through this. It'd make me the happiest woman alive if the first thing that our little cub sees as he enters this word is your handsome, loving face,” she agreed, relieved that she would have his strength to rely on through the hours of pain and labor to come.
“I know I cannot take this pain from you but I'll be there for you. I'll be your strength. I promise you,” he said as he kissed her gently.
“My mother will be here soon. Will you help me up to the bedroom? I want to get in to my nightgown and settled in the bed before she arrives,” she asked, doing her best to keep the anxiety from her face.
“Yes, of course,” he said sweeping her up in his arms and carrying her towards their bedroom.
“I didn't mean for you to carry me. I'm not ill or injured. I can manage to walk myself,” she said, a little annoyed with his high handedness.
“I know you can, but this is all I can do for you. Please, let me?” he asked, looking at her with such love that she could no longer be angry with him.
Instead, she thought of the fact that their child was about to come in to the world. Before the sun rose on the next day, she would have their baby in her arms. They would truly be a family and it made her heart swell.
“I should not have growled at you. I'm sorry,” she apologized as the next wave of pain came.
“You're bringing our child in to this world. You can growl at me all you want. You can even maim me if it'll help you to forget about the pain for even a second,” he said sincerely, looking at her as though he was afraid she might break.
She was at a loss for words so she merely rested her head on his shoulder as he carried her the rest of the way. He helped her put on her nightgown and lay down on the bed beside her as they waited for her mother to arrive. He held her and whispered in her ear how much he loved her and how excited he was to hold their baby in his arms. His support made the pain easier to take.
When her mother came, she clearly disapproved of his presence there but she didn't say it aloud. Instead, she comforted her daughter and got to the work of helping her grandchild be born. For hours, she and Luke took turns putting cold compresses on her forehead and comforting her through the pain. Finally, it was time for the birth of her grandchild.
“I need you to push, Daughter,” her mother instructed.
“Mother, I'm scared. What if I can’t do this?” she asked, emotionally raw in her exhaustion.
“Your body is designed to have this baby, my child. Don't doubt that,” her mother said gently.
“It's not that, Mother. What if I cannot be the kind of mother that you were? What if I cannot be there for my children like you have been? What if I don't have the inner strength?” she asked, looking very much like she did when she was a scared little girl
“You have every bit of the strength that I have and more. Besides, you don't need to rely solely on your own strength. You have a partner to go through this with,” her mother reassured her as she pushed the hair from her face.
“Yes, my love,” Luke replied. “Together, we are strong enough to face anything. This child will be raised with love and protection. It'll grow and thrive, taking the best of both of us. We have nothing to fear. How could anything we accomplish together fail?” he asked lovingly.
Her face lit up before she said another word. “You're right. I know you're right. I'm just so tired,” she said. “I'm ready now. Hold my hand and I'll have this baby.”
He held her hand tightly and she did just that. She pushed and pushed until finally their son came forth into the world, with her eyes and his father’s mouth. Never were two parents more in love with a child than they were when they looked down on that sweet baby’s face.